Holywell Community Centre have used the £20,000 they were awarded from the council’s Neighbourhood Grant to invest in improvements to its kitchen, main hall, and entrance facilities...
The funding will enable the centre which is run by Watford & Three Rivers Trust (W3RT), to better serve residents during the cost-of-living crisis and beyond, with the main improvement focusing on significant upgrades to the kitchen facilities with new equipment and appliances.
This will enable the hosting of external organisations offering cooking and nutrition workshops for families. In addition, for those who reserve the halls for private events, they can benefit from the convenience of preparing food on-site. Funding has also been spent on crockery for up to 100 guests, easing the strain on the environment by eliminating disposable plates and cutlery.
Further embracing the ethos of reuse rather than replace for a more sustainable approach, existing audio and projector equipment have also been re-furbished and chairs have been cleaned and repaired, to enable free or low-cost screenings of films.
The entrance area has also been improved with new furniture and a screen highlighting local social and wellbeing opportunities. There are also six outdoor planters made from reclaimed wood for pollinator flowers and edibles for the local community to enjoy. To ensure the planters are well-maintained, the trust will engage with volunteers to maintain them.
Deputy Mayor of Watford and Portfolio Holder for Community, Councillor Aga Dychton with the W3RT team at the Getting Together Event
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The Neighbourhood Grant funding has allowed the team to make significant improvements to Holywell Community Centre, enabling them to better serve residents in need during the cost-of-living crisis and beyond. The new facilities have enhanced the centre and will provide a welcoming, accessible, and supportive community space for all to enjoy.”
Pamela Field, W3RT Service Operations Manager, said: “We gathered ideas and feedback from the community to inform our plans and are now excited to host the external organisations who will use these facilities to provide social and wellbeing opportunities for local people."
The next round of funding for the Neighbourhood Grant will be in open for applications again in autumn 2023, however, you can email NCIL@watford.gov.uk if you want to find out more in advance. To read more about the projects, please visit watfordneighbourhoodgrant.commonplace.is.
